They also make a non-brut (sweet) version of this cider. I’ve read the only difference between the two is that this drier version was allowed to ferment fully, while the sweeter version has fermentation stopped early.

Cidery Description: The Bordelet family’s biodynamic orchards are in southern Normandy. The orchards as well as the cider making is undertaken by former Paris sommelier Eric Bordelet. All tolled, the orchard is 37 acres, seven and a half of which bear apple and pear trees 50 years old. The estate holds 20 varieties of apples and 15 varieties of pear. This is cider you are going to want to make a special effort to seek out.

Price: $12Where Bought:Cheese Plus in San Francisco CA (across the street from The Jug Shop) – I highly recommend both shopsWhere Drank: homeHow Found: browsing, on a cruise port stop – it was a really neat store, with lots of fancy wine and other beverages (they probably had 8 cider varieties, national, Spanish, and French – I also picked up some cans of Embark cider), cheese, charcuterie, and other fine foods – perfect to pick up items for a dinner party, or just a sandwich for lunch

My Opinion: Awesome! I think I enjoyed this more than the sweeter version. I loved the complexity (more than the sweeter version). Completely clean (no sourness or funk), so it would be a great introduction to French cider. It is amazing that Bordelet can create such a clean cider with wild fermentation. This would also make a nice brunch cider, due to the lower ABV, and it is food-friendly (I had it with some smoked salmon).

Closing Notes: It looked like this bottle sat around for awhile in the store, as the label was messed up (and it was at a lower price than I’d expect). It was also a bit less carbonated than I’d expect, which can happen over time. However, it was still awesome. Ciders like this can even improve with age.

They also make a Brut (dry) version of this cider. The only difference between the two is that this sweeter version has the fermentation stopped early, while the Brut is allowed to ferment dry.

Cidery Description: The Bordelet family’s biodynamic orchards are in southern Normandy. The orchards as well as the cider making is undertaken by former Paris sommelier Eric Bordelet. All tolled, the orchard is 37 acres, seven and a half of which bear apple and pear trees 50 years old. The estate holds 20 varieties of apples and 15 varieties of pear. This is cider you are going to want to make a special effort to seek out.

My Opinion: Awesome! Although this lovely cider is rather juice-like and lower complexity, it is far from boring. This would make a wonderful introduction to fine cider for someone who is used to drinking sweet commercial cider. It retained the apple & yeast forward qualities of French cider, but lacks any of the more difficult to appreciate qualities often found in Normandy French cider, such as sourness & funk. It is amazing that Bordelet can create such a clean cider with wild fermentation.

This would also make a nice brunch cider, due to the lower ABV, and its complex simplicity would make it food-friendly. Also, although it is rather sweet, it drank like a drier cider (I drank the entire bottle myself and it wasn’t a sugar overload).